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Albums like Aka/Darbari/Java: Magic Realism by Jon Hassell
1983
Aka/Darbari/Java: Magic Realism by Jon Hassell is an arresting blend of early-'80s electronics with the ancient tones of Southeast Asia. Recorded at Grant Avenue Studios in Canada and mastered at Sterling Sound, New York, the album sees Hassell's modified trumpet sing out like a futuristic Javanese horn, sighing and weaving through non-specific rhythms laid down by Abdou Mboup. The music flirts with ambient, yet it possesses a direction and drive that keeps it gently meandering, much like a jungle stream. Those who revel in its enchanting mix of organic and electronic sounds seek the same enlightened mood in other works of artful fusion.
Recommendations
Jean-Luc Ponty · 1980
Jean-Luc Ponty's Civilized Evil from 1980 shares a jazz foundation with Jon Hassell's work but channels it through the virtuosity of Ponty's violin. The album's blend of electronics and traditional instrumentation echoes the fusion of old and new found in Aka/Darbari/Java, making it a similarly captivating listening experience.
A place between us by okvsho offers a contemporary jazz approach that mirrors the international style of Hassell's album. While details are sparse, the mood likely leans into a modern, enlightened space, providing a fresh take on the cross-cultural experimentation that Aka/Darbari/Java embodies.
Trinity by Caleb Arredondo, though scant in detail, likely extends the jazz tradition with a modern twist. The album's title suggests a spiritual or transcendent quality, akin to the enlightened aura that permeates Hassell's Aka/Darbari/Java.
Sungazer, Vol. 2 by Sungazer, steeped in the electronic movement, aligns with Hassell’s foray into blending high tech with global sounds. Emerging in the modern era, it offers an energetic exploration of rhythm and texture, echoing the busy electronic whispers found in Aka/Darbari/Java.
Abductions and Reconstructions
Thievery Corporation · 1999
Thievery Corporation's Abductions and Reconstructions from 1999 channels a similar international flair as Hassell's work, combining elements from diverse global traditions. Their use of dub and acid jazz infuses a laid-back yet intricate vibe, much like the relaxed yet direction-filled compositions on Aka/Darbari/Java.
Kinobe · 2000
Soundphiles by Kinobe, from 2000, captures the chilled electronic atmosphere that complements Hassell’s fusion of past and present. Emerging from the late 90s electronic boom, it shares a penchant for blending the old with the new, offering a similarly soothing yet engaging listening experience.
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